Just like the Nebula Awards, the Norton Award is voted on by members of SFWA, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. It is more than an honor to have my first novel recognized by writers — it’s freaking awesome is what it is. I have wanted to be a member of SFWA since I started writing, and Fair Coin is the fiction sale that finally made me eligible. And ever since I found out that there was an award for middle grade and young adult SFF (which by the way, is a great thing and very progressive, are you paying attention, Hugo Award committee?), I’ve wondered what it might be like to be nominated for it. Now I know! Freaking awesome.

I’ll admit though, I didn’t really think it would happen this year. As you know, Bob, I was on the committee that added three titles to this somewhat longish shortlist of nominees, and of course, mine couldn’t be one of them. And so many wonderful books for children and teens were published in 2012, which is good for everyone who loves fiction… even the author hoping someone will notice his little novel. After all, I’m not just a writer, I’m a reader, and I’m thrilled that so many of my favorite books made it onto the ballot this year:

If you’ve read even a few of those novels already, you’ll know how amazing it is for me to see Fair Coin listed anywhere near them. If you haven’t read some of these yet, don’t just take my word that they’re great—a lot of other writers think so too. I love reading and writing YA so much, and this ballot is a solid representation of the best that the genre can offer both kids and adults. *blushes*

I’m bouncing around a bit about all the other nominees for the Nebula Awards, many of whom are personal friends and/or writers I admire and also just swell people. (Don’t worry, I’m not gonna name-drop.) Congratulations to everyone, especially my fellow Norton nominees. I, for one, am going to go practice my knot-tying skills and archery to prepare for the arena. There are twelve of us, after all.

Meanwhile, even though I’ve read all the novels on the Norton ballot already (did I mention how great they are?), I still have a lot of reading to catch up on.

Pop quiz time! I know you didn’t study, but don’t worry, it’s multiple choice, there’s no wrong answer, and there’s a reward at the end.

What kind of books do you like?
a) Free ones
b) Books defaced by the author with a Sharpie pen
c) Books what have time travel and parallel universes in them
d) Books with a smidge of romance and humor
e) all of the above

Great! If you picked a, b, c, or d, then read on. If you selected e) all of the above, then you should really pay attention, because this is your chance to win the first signed and personalized copies of Quantum Coin.

This is the finished book, not the uncorrected early copy for reviewers, and there have been some slight changes to the text in this “author’s preferred edition,” carefully designed to boost the level of awesome. All you have to do to make this yours is enter the Goodreads giveaway below. The winner will be randomly selected in true quantum fashion. Good luck!

Hopefully you’ve read Fair Coin by now, because the sequel will be out this October. You still have time to catch up on the shenanigans of Ephraim, Nathan, Jena, and Zoe before then, but if you’re ready to find out what happens to them next and hate the idea of waiting any longer than necessary, then I have good news for you: Pyr is giving away three advance reading copies of Quantum Coin over at Goodreads. Just click below to enter the random drawing. You have a 100% chance of winning, on a parallel Earth somewhere in the multiverse. You can’t beat those odds.

“[S]ci-fi fans who love their fiction with a dash of real science, crack open these books.”
–Jess, HubPages

“This book is for smart kids. If you have geeky teens who are underwowed by the recent rash of prom-dress-covered YA and prefer to read a savvy, well-paced adventure, this is the one.”
–Catherine Schaff-Stump, Writer Tamago

Praise for Fair Coin:

“[A] well-written, fast-paced, EPIC adventure. There are plot twists you will never see coming and enough science fiction elements to satisfy even the hungriest nerd brain! In my opinion, it accurately portrays . . . what teenagers would do if they had the entire universe at their disposal.”
–Mother/Gamer/Writer

“I thoroughly loved this book. Rather than finding just another same-old, same-old book, this one smashed through the mold . . . I highly recommend [Fair Coin] to all fans of YA, especially those who enjoy male MCs, science fiction, and fantasy.”
–I Swim for Oceans

“Myers has written a novel that makes the reader think . . . a young adult novel of substance. It is humorous, emotional, and complex in a refreshing way, and I think it’s a book that anyone who enjoys science fiction could really love.”
–Literary Obsession

“Magic and science collide in this retelling of the classic fable about misguided wishes never having exactly the outcome you intend. Myers’s tale has a massive twist. . . . [A] fast-paced and fun story.”
–RT Book Reviews, Four Stars: Compelling; Page Turner

I’ve been looking forward to reading Tempest ever since I saw its striking cover and read the synopsis. I’m a sucker for a good time travel story, but the more such stories I encounter, the harder it is for them to impress me. After a while, they all seem somewhat familiar—which makes it even more important to focus on the characters and relationships. Fortunately, Julie Cross manages both to create sympathetic, interesting characters and offer a surprisingly fresh take on time travel.